Electrically-operated pressing machine



April 15, 1930.

'w. P. BEATTIE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRESSING MACHINE File Aug. l3, 1926 2 Shgaets-Sheet l INVENTOR iM/[LUAM 1 DEATTIE By M+ 57:4.

A TTORNE VJ.

April 15, 1930. w. P. BEATTIE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRESSING- MACHINE File g- 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR mam/101 P15 EHT'IIE B Y a 7/ A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES WILLIAM P. BEA'ITIE, F NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NORWOOD, CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF' OHIO PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLY-OPEQRATED PRESSING MACHINE Application filed August 13, 1926. Serial No.-128,988.

This invention relates to pressing'machines of the electrically operated type, and has special reference to the'controlling arrangement therein. I

A machine of the type referred to includes a 'padded buck upon which the workis laid, and 'a heated pressing or ironing member adapted to close upon the buck and exert considerable pressure against the work thereon.

19 Obviously some danger is involved in'manipulation, the tendency of the operator, intent upon speed, being to initiate the closlng operation of the press before completely smoothing the work upon the buck, and withdraw the hands at the last instant possible, and frequent injuries to the operators hand or finger resultin from error in judgment as to the speedo the press.

Various safety arrangements have been devised to overcome such 'difiiculties; one

such system of safety devices comprising guards positioned about the press; another system comprising the so called two-hand control whereby simultaneous operation of the control handles widely spaced upon the press is required to initiate the closing operation thereof.

My'invention pertains to this latter system and comprises riefiy a two-hand control whereby both hands of the operator are required upon controller's, not only to initiate closlng movement of the press, but throughout the closing operation and atthe initiation of the pressing operation as well; and involves also braking means for stopping the mechanism during the danger period of the operating cycle, immediately upon a failure to operate the controllers as required.

Details, objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accomplan view of a well known in the art.

view of the timing switch with the cover plate removed; Fi 6 is a sectional view of the timing switch a ong the plane of line 66, Fig. 4:; Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the braking means employed; Fig. 8 is a detail of the magnetic contactor; Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional viewsalong the lines 9'-9 and 1010 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 11 is a horizontal detail of one of the button controlled switches taken along the plane of line 11-11, Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring now to the drawings, the press chosen for illustration of my invention comprises the body or base member 1 upon which is fixed the buck 2 and pivotally mounted the pressing member In a rearwardly ei tending arm of the pressing member 3 is positioned, as by means of a swivel block, a pusher bar 4. A motor 5 is mounted upon the base and directly connected with the shaft 6 is arranged to rotate a crank 7 fixed upon a shaft 12, through the wormand gear connection indicated. The crank is connected by the link 8 with the lower end of the pusher bar 4 and another link 9 connects the joined ends of the pusher bar and link 8 with the base as shown, the arrangement being obviously that of a toggle; the toggle being straightenable by rotation of the crank 7, to raise the pusher bar, close the pressing member 3 upon the buck, and through .a spring 10 upon the pusher bar and acting between a collar fixed thereon and the swivel block exert pressure betweenthe pressing members; further operation of the motor to rotate the crank resulting in release, opening of the press, and-if continued, repetition of the cycle. The work table 11 is conveniently placed as indicated to serve the buck.

What ha. thus far been described is old and Mounted upon the work table, one upon either side thereof and thus widely se arated, are a pair of switches 13 o erable push buttons 14: counter-sunk as s own in h1g 9 and 10 to the level of the table. These push button switches are identical inconstruction so that a description of one will sufiice. Each switch is of the double pole throw type and comprises a contactor 15 which consists-of 'afour fingered member fixed upon the stem of the push button and normally maintained by the spring 16 in contact across a pair of fixed contactors 17 mounted upon a block of insulating material 18 to complete a; circuit of contactors 19 adapted to be engaged by war the member 15 in the depressed position of the push button to complete a circuit between them; at which'time the circuit across contactors 17 will be obviously broken. Insulating projections 20 on the block 18 extend up- 1y between the contactors and corresponding fingers of the member 15 and carry t e sleeve 21 1n which the push button stem is positioned to slide, the whole switch being suitably enclosed by a casing as indicated.

Suitably enclosed within a casing 25, upon the shaft 12 is mounted a timing switch commutator 22, bearing insulated contactor segments 23, 23' and 23", adapted for co-operation with fingers of the contactors 24 in a manner to bedescribed, the lengths and relative arrangement of said segments being shown in their development in the diagram,

The contactors 24 are carried by an arm 26, insulated therefrom and from each other, and spring maintained in contact with their respective segments in the usual manner.

A magnetic switch, generally designated b the reference numeral 27, is also provide suitably mounted upon the base 1 and comprising the usual energizing coil 28, core 29, and armature 30 pivotally'inounted at 31 and carryin the contactor 32. A fixed contactor 33 suita ly insulated, is adapted to be engaged by the contactor 32 upon energization of the coil 28, to complete the motor circuit as indicated in the diagram of Fig. 3.

The armature 30 also carries a finger 34 in which is adjustably secured a screw 35. Mounted upon the shaft 6 is a brake drum 36 and carried thereb a brake band 37, one end of the band being xed as at 38, the other end connected to a stem 39, aligned with the screw 35, extending within the casing of the switch 27 and provided with a collar whereby the brake is normally maintained tightened against the drum by means of the spring 40 in compression between. the collar and the switch casing.

Referring now particularly to the electrical diagram, one of the timing switch elements 23 extends entirely around the insulating core, is in electrical connection with each of the remaining timing switch segments and, through the contactor 24 is at all times connected in the circuit of the energizing coil 28 of the magnetic switch 27, the o posite end of the coil running to L T e motor circuit is directly from L to L through the contactors 32 and 33. One of each pair of contactors 17 and 19 of one of the push button switches 13 is connected to L nected respectively to contactors 24 and 24" of the timing switch; and therein adapted to make suitably timed contact with the segments 23 and 23 respectively.

Obviously a complete rotation of shaft 12 corresponds with a complete operating cycle of the press: and the segments 23' and 23" are of suitable length and relative position to correspond with and thus effect in succession through the circuit, the several pressing operations, as specifically, closing of the press through the first segment 23", compression through the first segment 23, opening of the press through the second segment 23 and through the last and second segment 23 movement of the crank 7 to substantially stationary raised position of the pressing member 3. Accurate timing is efl'ected by adjustment of the arm 26 through a suitable slot 41.

Operation is as follows: Commencing with the press open as in Fig. 1, the timing switch being in the position indicated in the electrical diagram and contactor 24 resting upon the first contact segment 23, to efiect closing of the press it is obviously necessary for the operator to depress both push buttons 14 to complete the control or pilot circuit from L across all of the contactors 19 and back through the timing switch and the magnetic switch to L Completion of this circuit, by energizing the coil 28 to move the armature 30, releases the magnetic brake by depression of the brake stem 39 by the screw 35, against the spring 40 and by closing the contactors 32 and 33 of the magnetic switch starts the motor to close the press through the mechanism described.

The segments'23" being of length to correspond with merely the closing movement of the pressing member 3, provided the operator maintains pressure upon the push buttons 14 to maintain the control circuit through the contactors 19, will clear the contactor 24" as the pressing member reaches the buck, and thus open the magnetic switch circuit, de-energizing the coil 28 to open the motor circuit, and allow release of the spring 40 to instantly applythe brake and stop the machine with the pressing members just in contact.

Should the operator, during closing of the i the contactor 24", the first segment 23' makes contact with the contactor 24'; To efi'ect pressure between the pressing members there fore, it is necessary that the operator next release both of the push buttons. 14 to allow the push button switches by action of their springs 16 to complete a control circuit through all of the four contactors 17 and through the timing switch and magnetic switch in a manner similar to that described; which causes further rotation of the crank 7 to fully straighten the toggle joint of the press and through the spring 10 effect pressure between the pressing members. By this time however, the pressing members being already in contact, it is impossible for any portion of the operators body to be injured between them. As the toggle arrives at its straightened position, the first contact segment 23 clears the contactor 24 again stopping lthe motor and applying the'brake; and the second segment 23 makes connection with contactor 24!.

To open the press thereafter it is again necessary for the operator to depress both of the control buttons 14, re-establishing a circuit through the contactors 19 which restarts the motorr as before and releases the pressure with partial opening of the press. As the press approaches open position, the second contactor 23" clears the contactor 24/; and upon release of the control buttons 14, contact being now established across contactor 24' and the second segment, 23, the

. motor continues in operation to complete the press opening movement, the segment running oil the contactor 24: at the completion of this movement whereupon the press stops in fully open position with the brake applied, the parts being again in their original posi: tion.

The opening cycle being thus completed, to close the press it is again necessary for the operator to depress both of the buttons, which requires as before the use of both hands other than in the path of the pressing member.

' the other, pressure between said members,

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, means for-effecting .closing of oneof said pressing members upon release of pressure, and return ofsaid members to the original position thereof said means comprising an electric motor, a rotary member adapted to be drlven thereby, a 11nkage in operative connection between said rotary member and one of said pressing members whereby said cycle of press operat ons is effected each revolution of said rotary member, control means for said motor, comprising a control. circult for said motor, a portion of said circuit being divided to form two current paths, a pair of hand operated switches in said divided portion, said switches being spring urged to normally complete one of said current paths, adapted upon co-incident hand operation to complete the other of said current paths, and widely spaced upon said machine, and a switch in said control circuit adapted to interrupt either of said current paths, and timed with said rotary member to alternate said interruptions dependent upon, said press operations. a

2. In a pressing machine,-a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, means for effecting closing of one of said pressing members *upon the other, pressure between said members, release of pressure, and return of said members to the original position thereof, said means comprising an electric motor, a rotary member adapted to be driven thereby, a toggle linkage in operative connection be-. tween saidrotary member and one of said pressing members whereby said cycle of press operations is effected each revolution of said rotary member, control means for said motor, comprising a control circuit for said motor, a poriton of said circuit being divided to form two current aths, a pair of hand operated switches in said divided portion, said switches bein spring urged to normally complete one of said current paths, adapted upon coincident hand operation to complete theother of said current paths, and widely spaced upon said machine, and a switch in said control circuit adapted'to interrupt either of said current paths and timed with said rotary members to alternate said interruptions dependent upon press-operations.

3. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressingmembers mounted thereon, means for effecting closing of one of said pressing members upon the other, pressure between said members, release of pressure, and return of said members to the briginal position thereof, said means 'comprising an electric motor, a rotary member adapted to be driven thereby, a linkage in operative connectionbetween said rotary memher and one of said pressingmemberswhereby said cycle of press operations is effected each revolution of said rotary member, control means for said motor comprising a control circuit for said motor, a portion of said cir- {cuit being divided to form two current paths, a pair of hand operated switches in said divided portion, said switches being spring urged to normally complete one of said current paths, adapted upon coincident hand operationto complete the other of said current paths, and widely spaced upon said machine, and a switch in said control circuit adapted to selectively interrupt either of said current paths, and timed with said rotary member to alternate said interruptions upon completion of each of the press operations.

4. In a pressing machine, a base, a

air of relatively movable pressing mem- Eers mounted thereon, means for effecting closing of one of said pressing members upon the other, pressure between said members, release of pressure, and return of said members i to the original position thereof, said means said divided portion, said switches being spring'urged tonormally complete one of said current paths, adapted upon coincident hand operation to complete the other of said our rent paths, and widely spaced upon said machine, and a switch in said control circuit adapted to selectively interrupt either of said current paths, and timed with said rotary member to alternate said interruptions upon completion of each of the press operations, the relation of said hand operated switches and said time switch being such that hand actuation of said hand operated switches is required to effect said closing and opening operations of said press, and thereafter release of said hand operated switches is required to effect said pressure and return operations respectively.

5. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, means for effecting closing of one of said ressing members upon the other, pressure tween said members, release of pressure, and return of said members to the original position thereof, said means comprising an electric motor, a rotary member adapted to be driven thereby, a linkage in operative connection between said rotary member and one of said pressing "members whereby said cycle of press operations is efiected each revolution of said rotary member, control means for said motor, comprising 'amotor circuit, a control circuit for said motor circuit, a portion of said control circuit being divided to form two current paths, a pair of hand operated switches in said divided portion, said switches being spring urged to normally complete one of said current paths, adapted u on coincident hand operation to complete tiie other of said current paths, and widely spaced u on said machine, aswitch in said control circuit adapted to selectively interrupt either of said current paths and timed with said rotary member to alternateinterruptions dependent upon the press operations, a braking surface rotatable with the said control means comprising a pair of widely spaced manually operable control elements, and connection between said ele-,

ments and said power unit, whereby manual contact with both said elements is required to effect closing movement of said pressing members, and release of either or both of said elements during said closing movement at any stage thereof effects stopping of said movable pressing member.

7. In a' pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, a power unit in operative connection with one of said members and adapted for moving the same to open and close upon the other member for thereafter effecting pressure between said members, and means to control the operation of said powerunit, said control means comprisin a pair of widely spaced manually operab e control elements, and connection between said elements and said power unit whereby pressure effecting operation of said unit is subject to prior completion of said closing movement of said pressing members and release of both said control elements.

8. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, a power unit in operative connection with one of said members and adapted for moving the same to open and close upon the other member for thereafter effecting pressure between said members, and means to control the operation of said power unit, said control means comprising a pair of widely spaced manually operable control elements, and connection between said elements and said power unit whereby manual contact with both said elements is required to effect movement to close said pressing members, release of both said elements is required to effect said pressure, and substantial contact with either of said elements during said pressure effects de-energization of said power unit.

9. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mount ed thereon, a power unit in operative connection withone of said members and adapted for moving the same to open and close upon the other member and for thereafter effecting pressure between said members, and means to control the operation of said power unit, said control means comprising a pair of widely spaced manually operable control elements,

' 10. In a pressing mach1ne,a base, apair'of successive manipulation and release of said control elements is required to efiect closing of said pressing members, pressure therebetween, release of said pressure and partial opening of said members, and maximum opening therebetween successively, and deviation from the described operation of said control elements effects de-energization of said power unit.

In testimony whereof I hereby alfix my signature:

WILLIAM P. BEATTIE.

relatively movable pressing members mount ed thereon, a power unit in operative connection with one of said members and adapted for moving the same to open and close upon the other member and for thereafter effecting pressure between said members, and means to control the operation of said power unit, said control means comprising a pair of wide: 1y spaced manually operable control elements and connection between said elements and said power unit whereby manual con tact with both said elements is required to efl'ect movement to close said pressing members, and release of both said elements is required to eflect said pressure, manual contact with both said elements is required to efiect release of said pressure and partial opening of said pressing members, and release of both said elements is required to efi'ect maximum opening of said members.

11. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing'members mounted thereon, a power unit in operative connection with one of said members and adapted for moving the'same to open and close upon the other member, for thereafter efi'ecting presssure between said members, and means to control the operation of said power unit, said control means comprising a pair of widely spaced manually operable control elements, and connection between said elements and said power unit whereby alternate coincident successive manipulation and release of said control elements is re uiredoto efl'ect closing of said pressing mem ers, pressure therebetween, release of said pressure and partial opening of said members, and maximum opening therebetween successively.

12. In a pressing machine, a base, a pair of relatively movable pressing members mounted thereon, a power unit in operative connection with one of said members and adapted for moving the same to 0 en and close upon the other member, for t ereafter effecting pressure between said members, and means to control the operation of said power unit, said control means comprising a pair of widely spaced manually operable control elements, and connection between said elements and said power unit whereby alternate coincident 

